Choose Them Most Carefully

Originally published in The Way on August 2, 1941.

Before a child is born the mother prepares with loving care everything needed for the early days of the expected infant. Medical care, clothes, health preparations and charts are all provided. As the time of birth approaches, even a name is chosen, but very little thought is given to the choice of godparents.

The office of a baptismal sponsor is considered, by most people, as one of honor and privilege. Because of this, close friends of the parents are chosen for the child’s godparents. Yes, these people must be very good friends of the parents — that is the criterion to most of us. Many times godparents are chosen without even a thought given to the question whether the baptismal sponsors of the child are practical Catholics. All preparations are made to safeguard the child’s physical welfare, but the spiritual is forgotten.

Parents, the office of godparents is not one of honor alone. This office, carrying honor, also carries great responsibilities. The baptismal sponsor pledges himself to train the child personally or through others as a God-fearing Catholic in the event of the death of the parents or the neglect of the religious education of their offspring.

If the parents or guardians neglect to provide religious training for the child, it is the sponsor’s duty to see that a love of God is inculcated in the child, that it prays, that it attends Mass and that it, at least, attends catechetical instructions if it does not attend Catholic school. This is a serious obligation. It is evident that luke-warm Catholics will not fulfill it.

Few modern parents think of baptismal sponsors in this light and even fewer godparents take their duties seriously. Both are inclined to look upon this offer as purely a social invitation. They are invited without thought, and without thought they accept the invitation.

The office of sponsorship was instituted by the Church with the hope of stemming irreligion. Choose the godparents of your child with this thought in mind. Choose the godparents of your child most carefully.